AAS Committee on the Status of Women
Issue of February 20, 2009
eds. Joan Schmelz, Caroline Simpson, & Michele Montgomery
This week's issues:
1. AAS Public Policy and The Stimulus Package
2. AAS 214th Meeting Abstract Submission Extension
3. AAS Women In Astronomy Blog on "Squeezing the Pipeline"
4. APS Panel Discussion: "Around the World in 180 Minutes:
Differences and Similarities Among Women Physicists," APS, March 17
5. 3-Year Appointment, ALMA Commissioning Scientists, NRAO
6. Scientist, Green Bank Telescope, NRAO
7. How to Submit, Subscribe, or Unsubscribe to AASWOMEN
8. Access to Past Issues of AASWOMEN
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. AAS Public Policy and The Stimulus Package
From: AAS Public Policy Blog 2/13/2009
More details on the final stimulus compromise can be found at
http://aas.org/aggregator/sources/1
which includes the House appropriations committee summaries (in pdf format).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. AAS 214th Meeting Abstract Submission Extension
From: AAS.org
The abstract submission deadline for the AAS 214th meeting has been
extended to 9:00 PM EST, Monday, 2 March 2009. This meeting will be
held in Pasadena, CA at the Pasadena Convention Center. The dates of
the meeting are 7-11 June 2009. Further information can be found at
http://aas.org/meetings/aas214
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. AAS Women In Astronomy Blog on "Squeezing the Pipeline"
From: HannahWomen in Astronomy Blog, Feb 14, 2009
I recently returned from a trip out to the West Coast. I visited three
different institutions, and even though I wasn't applying specifically
to those departments, at each place the topic of jobs and funding came
up and the picture they painted was quite bleak. And I don't think it
was simply because of California's own budget problems, because when I
came back this week, I encountered both a NY Times Opinion Column and
a report on All Things Considered talking about the plight of
scientists in these tough economic times.
[To read the full blog article, the follow-on comments, and to post
your own comment, please go to
http://womeninastronomy.blogspot.com/2009/02/squeezing-pipeline.html ]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Panel Discussion: "Around the World in 180 Minutes: Differences
and Similarities Among Women Physicists," APS, March 17
From: WIPHYS Feb. 9, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009, 11:15 AM - 2:15 PM, Session J4 , Room:
306/307 Co-sponsors: CSWP and Forum on International Physics. Chairs:
Eliane Lessner, CSWP and Cherrill Spencer, FIP
This is a panel discussion session which will provide a worldwide
assessment of the status and experiences of women in physics; paying
attention to the different cultures and environments they work in and
to how the age of the physicist affects their perspective. Six invited
speakers will present analyses of the progress being made in promoting
women in physics from their personal experiences and as assessed from
their participation in the Third International Conference on Women in
Physics (ICWIP2008) convened in Seoul, Korea in October 2008.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. 3-Year Appointment, ALMA Commissioning Scientists, NRAO
From: Fonda M. Hamric, fhamricnrao.edu
COMMISSIONING SCIENTISTS (CL4845)
The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), an
international astronomy facility, is a partnership between Europe,
Japan and North America in cooperation with the Republic of Chile.
ALMA construction and operations are led on behalf of Europe by ESO,
on behalf of Japan by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
(NAOJ) and on behalf of North America by the National Radio Astronomy
Observatory (NRAO), which is managed by Associated Universities, Inc.
(AUI).
The Joint ALMA Office invites applications for the position of
Commissioning Scientists to be based in Santiago, Chile. These are
international staff positions in the ALMA Project, the world's most
sensitive mm/submm interferometer, which is currently under
construction in northern Chile.
The role of ALMA Commissioning Scientists is to assist the Project
Scientist and Deputy Project Scientist in planning and executing the
scientific commissioning of ALMA. In order to bring ALMA into full
scientific operation, the commissioning team of scientists and
engineers will devise testing procedures for new equipment and
observing modes, carry out measurements, and interpret results.
Successful applicants will be expected to participate in the full
range of commissioning activities, but may take the lead on some
aspect of testing based on their background and interests. The
Commissioning Scientists are encouraged to continue an active program
of independent research, and time and resources will be made available
for this.
Applicants for this position must have a PhD in astronomy or related
field. Demonstrated skills in the following areas would be an
advantage, but are not required: knowledge of computing languages
(python, xml, etc); development of data reduction and analysis
software; and experience trouble-shooting hardware in a Linux
environment. These positions require a significant amount of time
working at the Operations Support Facility (2900m elevation) and
occasionally at the Array Operations Site (5000m elevation). A
successful high altitude medical check is a necessary condition for
this position.
Appointments will be for a period of three years. These positions,
located in Santiago, Chile are funded from the construction project,
which will be largely completed by the end of 2012, and members of the
commissioning team will be in a very strong position to apply for
long-term posts in Joint ALMA Observatory Science Operations which
will be become available during and after the construction phase.
Deadline for receipt of applications to be considered for these
positions is May 15, 2009. Resumes with a cover letter indicating
position of interest should be addressed to NRAO, Human Resources
Office, 520 Edgemont Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903 or sent
electronically to resumesnrao.edu. For additional information,
please contact Dr. Alison Peck at apeckalma.cl. Non-specific
resumes will not be considered. The NRAO is an equal employment
opportunity employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Scientist, Green Bank Telescope, NRAO
From: Fonda M. Hamric, fhamricnrao.edu
Scientist (Scientific Leader, High Frequency Focal Plane Array
Development Program) - GB5311
The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT) is the world?s largest
fully steerable telescope. Working at wavelengths ranging from 100cm
through 3mm, the GBT supports a diverse range of scientific research.
Additionally, the GBT has a dynamic program of research and
development which keeps the telescope at the cutting edge of science
and technology.
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is beginning a program to
develop focal plane arrays for the Green Bank Telescope, beginning
with a 3mm array. We are looking for an energetic individual to
provide scientific leadership for the focal plane array development
program, particularly for the GBT?s high frequency range.
Work is currently underway on a 7-pixel array for the 18-26 GHz band.
The next major spectral line instrument will be a 100+ pixel
heterodyne array system working from at least 80 GHz through 115 GHz.
We are also planning a large-format 3 mm bolometer camera developed
principally by an external consortium. Beyond that, we envision
replacing all receiver systems above 15 GHz with focal plane arrays.
We are looking for someone to provide the scientific leadership needed
to bring these plans into fruition. Responsibilities of the
successful applicant will include scientific oversight of all aspects
of the FPA development program, from initial specifications of the
receiver, IF, and backends, through the final commissioning plans for
the various instruments. The applicant will also be tasked with
promoting the FPA development program to the external community
through talks and workshops, and building external collaborations as
appropriate.
The successful applicant must have strong leadership skills and
knowledge of radio and/or millimeter astronomy. The successful
candidate will have 25% of their time available for independent
research. Support for research and travel are provided, as well as
vacation accrual, health insurance, and a moving allowance. Position
will be filled at the assistant, associate, or scientist level,
depending on experience.
The position is located at the NRAO at Green Bank, WV, an observatory
which combines an academic setting with a rural environment. The
successful candidate will join a staff of 10 PhD astronomers and more
than two dozen other professionals engaged in research and development
in the fields of engineering, computing, and education.
A minimum of at least three years beyond PhD, and knowledge of radio
and/or millimeter wavelength astronomy, as well as basic management
skills is required.
Applications should include a description of relevant experience, a
curriculum vitae including a publication list, a statement of research
interests, and the names of three scientists who have agreed to
provide letters of reference. All material should be submitted as a
single PDF file of the form "LastNameFirstInitial.GB5311.pdf" via
email to: gbresumesnrao.edu. Letters of recommendation may be
submitted separately via email. Please reference "FPA Scientist, Req:
GB5311" in the subject line. Applications will be accepted until the
position is filled. Initial review of applications will begin
immediately. Women and minority candidates are encouraged to apply.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. How to Submit, Subscribe, or Unsubscribe to AASWOMEN
[Please remember to replace "" in the below e-mail addresses.]
To submit to AASWOMEN: send email to aaswomenaas.org All material
sent to that address will be posted unless you tell us otherwise
(including your email address).
To subscribe or unsubscribe to AASWOMEN go to
http://lists.aas.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/aaswlist
and fill out the form.
If you experience any problems, please email itdeptaas.org
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. Access to Past Issues of AASWOMEN
Past issues of AASWOMEN are available at
http://www.aas.org/cswa/AASWOMEN.html
Each annual summary includes an index of topics covered.
AASWList mailing list
AASWListaas.org